Take the High Road

I think you know what I mean. When you are tempted to lash out, get back, do some underhanded dirty work – when you are tempted to react out of anger or resentment, DON’T.

Take the high road.

Rather than “an eye for an eye”, be kind. Treat the other as you would want to be treated.

But, why???

Have you ever noticed that the reaction of the moment, the “low road”, feels really good – in the moment – but later, even if no one ever knows what you did, you are left with a pit in your stomach? You carry the impact of your actions with you. So, think about it:

Why take the high road?
FOR YOU!

In the long run, it feels better. But:

How do we take that high road?

Here’s the tricky part. Actions on the high road must be free of the anger or resentment that triggered us. If we “do a good or kind thing with anger on our breath“, we’ve done worse than nothing at all. The relationship in the mix will be damaged. Next time you are tempted to lash out but want to take the high road, stop and breathe. Play out the following two scenarios in your mind and heart:

1. Imagine taking the reactive, low road action. Walk forward in your life 3-6-12 months-5 years. What has evolved in the relationship? How do you feel having traveled the low road, in reactive mode?
2. Shake off that vision! Now imagine taking the high road action. Walk forward in your life 3-6-12 months-5 years. What has evolved in the relationship? How do you feel having taken the high road, responded as needed with kindness or gentleness rather than reactivity?

Who do you want to BE down the road?

Then choose. Choose for YOU. Guided by and acting from the energy and wisdom of the person you want to BE, act. Let your actions include resolving your inner angst first. Then take the outward step.

Remember: The high road is for you … and just happens often to have a positive and powerful impact on those around us!